THE LYELL.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 715, 24 September 1870, Page 2

THE LYELL.

(from: oitb own correspondent.) September 21. Your readers will learn with satisfaction that the Excelsior Quartz Claim, which baa been so long neglected, is now likely to receive a thorough trial under the management of a company, who have obtained sufficient funds by the disposal of scrip to commence extensivo operations. It was scarcely calculated to encourage the prospectors in their efforts to ascertain the true value of the reef that the holders of ground adjacent should neither be working their own claims nor contributing in any way in determining the extent of the workings. The fact of the Excelsior Company being now in a position to beneficially work their valuable ground and the arrival of the machinery for Zala and party are expected to cause matters in the district to assumo a much more lively aspect than heretofore. Matters are not progressing so satisfactorily in somo of the workings, north of the prospectors. There is some mention of Nos. 1., ll,and 111. amalgamating their interests, which will help matters materially, and drives of immense length, wonderfully and rapidly excavated, exposing a solid reef of prodigious dimensions will yet bo the topic of conversation at our coming Christmas festivities. At the south end, I have again to report indefatigable industry, espe-

cially in Nos. IV and V. The latter are still iu loose slate, but in No. 17 the driving ia as hard as iu the tunnel that the prospectors are pushing ahead for the main lead, which, it is confidently expected, will very Boon be met with.

A fresh track has been lately cut by some of the men on the south end, up to the claims, rising with a comparatively easy and gradual ascent from the Lyell Creek, about a quarter of a • mile above the Maori Bar. I should think, for carrying up " tucker," it will be fouwd very advantageous, though for descending I prefer the old track as the shortest. After having gone up all-the different tracks from the township to the reefs, I think that a fair pack-track, up to the workings, could be made, adhering nearly to the newroute, for £450, and to the machine site for considerably less. "While mentioning this, I would also venture to suggest that, now the population is on the increase up the Buller generally, the Government send one of their officials to inspect the state of the road ; if he ride and get through the last mile between the old diggings and Cristies, without foundering his horse, I would congratulate him and give him a scrape down, which, in any case, he would sadiy require. Some small bridges over such dangerous creeks, when flooded, as the Nine Mile, Little Ohika, and (beyond the Lyell again,) the Newton, would be a great boon, and would not cost half the money to construct that would be required to make a fresh track round the Ohika Hill, or to construct similar projected improvements. 1 have very little fresh news to report in the alluvial lino in this district. The party who are flumiug the Lyell Creek below the Maori Bar, (in my report of which some weeks ago you somewhat mistook the purport of my description of this work with reference to erecting wing-dams,) are making great progress with their boxes and washing gear and I believe will have a good " rise " by Christmas, unless any extraordinary freshes should come in the meantime to endanger their work. The opinion expressed in F. W. M'a letter, in your issue of the Ist inst, with regard to the protections now in vogue, has not met with general approval by holders of working interests here.